Nollywood | Page 3 of 52

Sometimes, I wonder why Old Nollywood inspires so much nostalgia, but perhaps one of the biggest reasons is that they were never afraid to experiment. You could stumble upon a syrupy university romance, a goofy comedy about mischievous children, or, more often than not, a witchcraft thriller that promised to haunt your dreams. It was this unpredictability that made them unforgettable.

The witchcraft films, in particular, thrived on the fear of the viewers: fathers turning on their families for wealth, cultists offering blood sacrifices, and sinister little subplots that warned children never to pick up stray money on the ground unless they wanted to morph into yam.

For a whole generation, these movies entertained but also left remnants of trauma. In this story, I revisited the most famous titles from that era and rounded up the top 10 Nollywood witchcraft movies that truly traumatised a generation.

1. Koto Aye (1990)

Running time: 1h 33m

Director: Alhaji Yekini Ajileye

Genre: Horror

This Yoruba-language classic plays like a fever dream of witches, blood rituals, and eerie chants, with those jarring Nollywood sound effects that could rattle your bones. The film features the antics of a powerful witch, Abeni Agbon, who uses her diabolical powers for evil, notably to punish a woman who refused to provide her with food during a naming ceremony, resulting in the deaths of the woman’s twin children.

The movie was so unsettlingly scary that when some cast members later died in real life, rumours spread that they had been hunted down by the very spirits they portrayed. The famous witch dance scene, performed in flowing black, set against pounding and unrelenting drums, was the stuff of nightmares, leaving an entire generation wary of old women dressed in black.

Watch Koto Aye on YouTube.

2. Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994)

Running time: 1h 33m

Director: Zeb Ejiro

Genre: Horror

Nneka the Pretty Serpent follows the life of Nneka, a young woman possessed by a river goddess who grants her powers to seduce wealthy, sleazy men and claim their souls. The backstory is as chilling as the plot: Nneka’s mother, desperate for a child, turned to the river goddess for help, and ended up dedicating her daughter to a lifetime of dark servitude.

For people who watched, the moral lesson was crystal clear: that impossibly beautiful woman who appears out of nowhere is probably a witch. And if she speaks to you? Run.

Watch Nneka the Pretty Serpent on YouTube

3. Living in Bondage (1992)

Running time: 2h 43m

Director: Chris Obi Rapu

Genre: Thiller, Drama

Kenneth Okonkwo makes his breakout into the spotlight with this spooky cult movie. The film follows Andy and Merit, a young couple whose marriage is strained by financial difficulties. Pressured to keep up with his wealthy peers, Andy joins a cult that demands loyalty to Lucifer and the ultimate sacrifice is killing a loved one. In a moment of desperation, Andy murders his wife, Merit, only to be tormented by her vengeful spirit.

The movie is a perfect exploration of the consequences of guilt and messing with the spiritual. The film is a salient reminder that the shortcut to wealth always comes with a price, and the dead never truly stay buried.

Watch Living in Bondage on YouTube.

**4. Blood Money: The Vulture Men (1997)**

Running time: 1h 31m

Director: Chico Ejiro

Genre: Thiller, Drama

This cult-horror takes the classic Nollywood obsession with quick wealth and turns it into a riveting story. Mike (Zack Orji) reconnects with his old schoolmate Collins (Kanayo O Kanayo), now a millionaire thanks to the black-market organ trade. Collins lures him into joining a secret cult known as The Vultures, led by a supernatural entity called the Great Vulture, who promises instant wealth in exchange for loyalty and blood.

When the cult eventually demands a blood sacrifice, Mike offers up his wife and mother, triggering an even darker arc. Haunted by his mother’s restless spirit, he becomes a serial killer, hunting down seven human heads to buy peace.

Watch Blood Money: The Vulture Men on YouTube.

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5. Rattlesnake (1995)

Running time: 2h 59m

Director: Amaka Igwe

Genre: Thiller, Drama

Rattlesnake tells the story of Ahanna, a young man forced to grow up too fast after his father’s mysterious death and his mother’s unwilling abandonment. Left to care for his two younger siblings, Ahanna turns his anger toward a devious uncle and plots his revenge. What begins as petty crime soon escalates into the creation of a tightly run gang, pulling off calculated operations in his desperate bid for survival.

The film captured the terrifying allure of power and the price of vengeance, reminding viewers that the line between survival and destruction is razor-thin.

Watch Rattlesnake on YouTube

6. Agbara Nla (1992)

Running time: 2h 52m

Director: Mike Bamiloye

Genre: Thiller, Drama

Agbara Nla paved the way for the current wave of Christian drama movies. It is also popular for introducing Nigeria to one of its scariest words: “Ayamatanga.” It’s set in a demon-ruled village held captive by Isawuru, a dreaded herbalist channelling unholy powers backed by the Aro Meta witches to oppress the villagers. Things begin to change when a young missionary couple, called by God to proclaim Christ’s power to save and deliver, steps into the scene.

What terrified audiences most were the spiritual warfare scenes, especially the moment a demon-possessed character roared “Ayamatanga,” later revealed as “I Am At Anger,” a phrase that became a Nigerian shorthand for evil.

Watch Agbara Nla on YouTube

7. Karishika (1998)

Running time: 1h 26m

Director: Christian Onu

Genre: Horror

Few Nollywood films etched themselves into the collective memory of Nigerians like Karishika. In this movie, Lucifer, in a bid to gather more followers, sends Karishika to Earth with one mission: tempt, corrupt, and drag as many souls as possible into hell.

Armed with beauty and seduction skills, Karishika preys on all those around her, offering money, sex, and fulfilled desires in exchange for eternal damnation. Her reign of terror, however, is challenged by Pastor Evarist, a devout man whose faith becomes the ultimate weapon against her.

The film’s eerie soundtrack and wild special effects made it unforgettable. A key takeaway from the movie was that temptation always comes dressed in glamour, but only God delivers the final say.

Watch Karishika on YouTube

8. Sakobi: The Snake Girl (1998)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Christian Onu

Genre: Fantasy Horror

Directed by Zeb Ejiro, the film follows Frank Davies, a desperate man introduced by his friend Patrick to Sakobi, a mysterious woman tied to the cult of Kongodis and devoted to the Mighty Serpent goddess. For wealth and power, Frank is instructed to sacrifice his only daughter, Hope, and abandon his family to marry Sakobi.

If Nneka the Pretty Serpent birthed the archetype of the femme fatale witch, Sakobi: The Snake Girl perfected it.

Watch Sakobi: The Snake Girl on YouTube

9. End of the Wicked (1999)

Running time: 1h 34m

Director: Teco Benson

Genre: Horror

It takes a supremely assured director and an equally confident screenwriter to turn a basic idea into a contemporary horror narrative as gripping and scary as this low-budget movie from Helen Ukpabio. This film practically invented Nigeria’s child-witch hysteria.

The movie follows a coven of witches led by Beelzebub who torment families and recruit new members through rituals, including children lured with enchanted puff-puff. The horror goes on until a pastor, played by Helen Ukpabio herself, arrives to confront the demonic forces.

Watch End Of The Wicked on YouTube

10. The Last Burial (2000)

Running time: 1h 43m

Director: Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen

Genre: Horror

The Last Burial blurs the lines between fiction and reality, drawing from the story of Ogbuefi Nnamani, whose mysterious death unsettled his community. It tells of a man in financial ruin who, under the influence of his friends, joins an occult group that demands human sacrifices in exchange for wealth.

For years, he enjoys prosperity, but the bill eventually comes due. At his death, his burial ceremony erupts in chaos, plagued by strange happenings that suggest his pact with the occult followed him to the grave.

For many viewers, it was a cautionary tale culled directly from the headlines. The cult’s promise of riches may last a lifetime, but even the grave offers no escape from the debt.

Watch The Last Burial on YouTube

ALSO READ: 7 Scary Nollywood Horror Films to See this Halloween

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Romance might be a staple of Nollywood storylines, but sometimes the love continues long after the cameras stop rolling. From sparks that flew on set to relationships nurtured through mutual friends and shared creative spaces, several Nollywood stars have found real-life partners within the industry.

These unions show that Nollywood isn’t just about blockbuster scripts and iconic performances—it’s also about the genuine connections formed behind the scenes.

Here are the 10 greatest Nollywood actors who are actual real-life couples.

10. Razak Olayiwola and Moji Afolayan

Razak Olayiwola, widely known by his stage name Ojopagogo, and Moji Afolayan are one of the most respected veteran couples in Yoruba Nollywood. Their love story began on a movie set in Ibadan, where they first met while working on a film project. After courting for two years, they tied the knot in 2003, beginning a marriage that has endured alongside their flourishing careers.

Both accomplished in their own right, Razak is admired for his comic timing and versatility, while Moji—daughter of the legendary Ade Love and sister to Kunle Afolayan—carries on her family’s rich filmmaking legacy. Together, they’ve appeared in several Yoruba films, including Tojubole, where their real-life connection translates effortlessly on screen.

Nearly two decades later, they remain a beloved Nollywood couple, celebrated for balancing family, tradition, and artistry in the industry.

9. Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun

Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun, popularly known as Afeez Owo, are one of the most enduring couples in the Yoruba movie industry. Their love story is deeply rooted in Nollywood history—Afeez was once the manager of Mide’s mother, the late veteran actress Funmi Martins. Having grown up together, their friendship gradually blossomed into a romance that led to marriage.

The couple has been married for over two decades, building both a family and successful careers side by side. On screen, they have appeared together in films such as Oju Inu and Eye Aparo, where their real-life bond adds an extra layer of authenticity to their performances.

Today, Mide and Afeez are celebrated not only for their individual contributions to Yoruba cinema but also for their resilience as a couple who have stood the test of time in both love and career.

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8. Stan Nze and Blessing Nze

Stan Nze and Blessing Nze are one of Nollywood’s newer celebrity couples, tying the knot in 2021. Their relationship sparked plenty of conversation, particularly because of their age difference (Stan is 36 and Blessing is 43), but the pair have remained unbothered by social expectations, choosing instead to focus on building a happy marriage and thriving careers.

Since getting married, they’ve delighted fans by appearing together in films such as Irresistible You and Husband Man, where their natural chemistry shines through. Both accomplished in their own right—Stan with critically acclaimed performances in projects like Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020), and Blessing with her multifaceted work as an actress and producer—the couple continue to prove that love and partnership can flourish in the spotlight.

7. Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi

Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi are one of Nollywood’s most popular power couples, especially within the Yoruba film industry.

Toyin is an award-winning actress, director, and producer celebrated for her range in both comedy and drama, with standout performances in Elevator Baby (2019), The Prophetess (2021), and her Alakada franchise. Kolawole, an accomplished actor in his own right, has starred in films such as Iyalode, Alakada: Bad and Boujee (2023), and Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (2022). They have also starred in movies together, with Kola playing Cash in Alakada: Bad and Boujee.

The two went public with their relationship in 2019, often sharing glimpses of their family life and creative journeys on social media.

6. Iyke Okechukwu and Florence Okechukwu

Iyke and Florence Okechukwu are yet another Nollywood couple whose love story blossomed on the set of Tinsel. Playing the fan-favourite couple Chuks and Ene, their on-screen romance won the hearts of viewers across Nigeria. What many didn’t know at first was that the chemistry went beyond acting—it was the beginning of a real-life love story.

In 2013, the pair tied the knot, turning their scripted romance into a lifelong commitment. Today, they share a family together while continuing to build their individual careers in Nollywood. Their relationship remains one of the most heartwarming examples of how on-screen love can beautifully spill into real life.

5. Norbert Young and Gloria Young

Norbert and Gloria Young stand among Nollywood’s most respected veteran couples, with a marriage that has thrived for more than two decades. Norbert has built a reputation as a versatile actor, memorable for his roles in beloved series like Family Circle and Tinsel, as well as powerful performances in films such as King of Boys (2018) and The Black Book (2023).

Gloria, who began her career as a journalist, made her breakthrough in the Nollywood classic Glamour Girls (1994). She has since continued to shine in acclaimed films like Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) and The Weekend.

They have both appeared in movies such as Choke. Beyond their filmography, the Youngs are celebrated not only for their individual accomplishments but also for their longevity as a couple—embodying stability, grace, and resilience both on and off the screen.

4. Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman

Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor’s romance is one of Nollywood’s sweetest “from set to real life” love stories. The two first met as co-stars on the long-running M-Net series Tinsel, where they played love interests. What began as a professional collaboration soon grew into a close friendship, and eventually, a real relationship that fans couldn’t help but root for.

Their bond culminated in a beautiful wedding in 2018, celebrated widely across the Nollywood community. Since then, they’ve continued to shine both individually and together, with Ibrahim building his career as an actor and creative, and Linda balancing motherhood with her acclaimed screen performances.

Their journey from Tinsel co-stars to real-life partners remains a fan-favourite Nollywood love story.

3. Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji

Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji are one of the most beloved couples in the Yoruba movie industry. Known for their effortless on-screen chemistry, the pair starred together in films like Deja Vu and That One Time, where their performances sparked rumours of a romance long before they confirmed it.

For a while, they kept fans guessing, denying dating speculations despite appearing in multiple productions side by side. But in December 2021, they surprised the industry with a stunning wedding that quickly became a trending celebration across Nigeria.

Today, Lateef and Mo Bimpe continue to dominate Nollywood as individuals and as a couple, balancing thriving acting careers with a marriage that has made them one of the industry’s favourite love stories.

2. Bankole “Banky W” Wellington and Adesua Etomi-Wellington

Few Nollywood love stories have captured the public’s imagination quite like Banky W and Adesua Etomi-Wellington’s. Their romance began to swell among fans after their appearance in The Wedding Party (2016), where they played a couple navigating the chaos of a glamorous Lagos wedding. The chemistry was so natural that fans speculated long before the pair confirmed that life was imitating art.

Off-screen, their relationship quickly blossomed. They announced their engagement in 2017, and their lavish, multi-day wedding—spanning traditional and white ceremonies—was one of the most talked-about celebrity events of the year.

Since then, the “IT” couple has remained a fixture in Nollywood and beyond. Adesua continues to shine as one of the industry’s most versatile actresses, while Banky W balances music, acting, and politics. Together, they’ve also appeared in The Wedding Party 2 (2017), cementing their on-screen and real-life partnership as one of Nollywood’s most iconic.

1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva are by far one of Nollywood’s ultimate power couples. Their love story began in 1981 at the National Theatre in Lagos during Nigeria’s 21st Independence anniversary, and it has grown into one of the industry’s most enduring partnerships. Both actors have carved out remarkable careers spanning stage, television, and film, earning them legendary status at home and abroad.

Beyond their personal relationship, they have also built a creative empire together. They co-founded the Lufodo Group, which houses the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, a training ground for young actors and filmmakers.

On-screen, the couple has shared their chemistry in films like The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017). Their joint appearances remind fans why they are not only celebrated individually but also cherished as a duo whose artistry and love have shaped Nollywood across generations.

ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Actors Who Used to Be Famous and What They Do Now

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This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.

In Nollywood, where more than 3,000 films are produced each year, actors are often overwhelmed with offers. Inevitably, some scripts are declined—sometimes wisely, other times with lingering regret.

For every role passed over as a matter of principle or practicality, there is another that later becomes a hit, reshaping careers and stoking questions of “had I known.” The decision to say no, it turns out, can be as defining as the choice to say yes.

As part of our theme for September, Had I Known, we spoke to 8 Nigerian actors on the roles they regret turning down.

1. Abounce Fawole

Abounce Fawole on the set of *Say Who Die*.

I was going through a period where I was being boxed in the industry. At this time, I had rejected a ton of roles. They kept sending me scripts for roles that anyone could play, but I wanted something fresh and challenging.

Then I got a script that met my criteria. I connected with the character. I did the reading, and they liked me for the role. I was very excited. Then we started negotiations, and the money was just not enough. Eventually, we couldn’t get the money to match, so I stepped away from the role.

But I still think of what that role would have been like if I had played it.

2. Baaj Adebule

Baaj Adebule on the set of *Say Who Die*.

I regret rejecting two roles in particular. The first one was a very juicy role. I loved the character and would have gone along with it, but the script was in Microsoft Word. That is a red flag in Nollywood.

If you’re not in film, you’ll be like, “What’s the big deal?” But there’s no project where I’ve ever received the script in Microsoft Word that hasn’t turned out to be an absolute nightmare. I might be wrong, but I doubt there’s any actor who will say any different. So, huge red flag. I said no instantly. But it was a really good role, and I sometimes wonder what it would have done to my career if I had said yes.

The other one was more of a scheduling conflict. We had been talking, and it was looking like a project I could possibly do, but nothing had been agreed on yet. At the same time, there was another project I was passionate about, and we were having conversations simultaneously. Finally, the latter got greenlit and kicked off, and I had to end the conversation with the producers of the other film.

It’s something I’ve seen other actors do, and I’m not criticising it by any means. It’s just that I’m not comfortable juggling multiple projects. It just doesn’t work for my process or the way I work. It’s simply a terrible idea for me personally.

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ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Movies Nigerians Regret Not Watching in the Cinema

3. Adeoluwa Akintoba

I once had a movie that I had been pursuing for a while. It was a very good role, and the pay was also good. I found the character very interesting. But while production was taking time to start, I accepted another role.

By the time they wanted to start shooting, we had scheduling conflicts. There was no way I could have done it. I even considered returning the money for the one I was already on set for and taking that one, but I couldn’t. Every day, I pray I get another role like that sent to me.

4. Bikiya Graham-Douglas

I wouldn’t call it regret, but sometimes I do think about it. I was supposed to play Salewa in Skinny Girl in Transit. I was offered the role, but we had some disagreements, and it was best to walk away from it. These are not things one wants to revisit, but they did such a good job with the direction they went with it.

5. Riyo David

In my case, it wasn’t exactly a matter of “turning down” a role, because I was already on the project. Rather, it became a case of creative differences. The journey carried me through several phases — from the excitement of landing the job, to getting on set, shooting, then leaving the project prematurely.

That came with its share of heartbreak, disappointment, accountability and, eventually, healing. My regret came from knowing it was a truly beautiful project, one I had invested myself in wholeheartedly, as I do with every role I take on. Creative differences are not uncommon in this industry, but how they’re handled makes all the difference.

What eased the weight for me was finding out that my replacement was a friend, brother, and colleague I deeply respect — someone I trust will deliver the character excellently. That gave me peace. Of course, there are days I wonder what could have been, but I always return to the reminder that nothing happens outside the consent and approval of God. So I believe I’m exactly where I need to be. More importantly, the experience made me stronger.

6. Christian Obi

The role I regret not taking was in Red Circle. When I was approached, I was told I would be playing a conductor. But there was a scene where I was supposed to be beaten up and tied, and I was going to be nude. Because I didn’t want my arse out in public — only on a yacht — I said I couldn’t do it.

Now, colour me regretful. At the premiere, I watched the film and saw the scene, and the actor wasn’t naked at all. I was like, “You could have called me back and told me you’d changed your mind!” I would have taken the role, because I would have been happy to be in Red Circle.

7. Adebola Akinlose

I got a DM from a casting director on Instagram. She said she had been following my content and liked what I was doing. She was an Indian woman, and she told me she was casting for a Bollywood movie. But it was all very discreet. I sent her my WhatsApp number, and we continued talking. I sent her my height, age, and other casting requirements. They even sent me the plot, and I was genuinely interested.

But then they asked if I could act in a “bold scene.” I asked what they meant, and they said, “Are you comfortable kissing?” I said yes. Then they asked if I could be nude for the role. They told me they were paying ₦8 million. I said I would think about it, so I reached out to a director I had worked with for advice.

Soon after, the casting director asked me to send a video of my body in a bikini. That was where I drew the line. I just didn’t feel comfortable with it. I turned down the role, but honestly, I regret the decision for a number of reasons. First, someone who respected my work had recommended me, and I lost that opportunity and their favour. Second, the money.

8. Nimi

For me, the role I regret not taking clashed with another project. We had already started shooting when the offer came in, so I couldn’t be part of it. I had always wanted to work with that director and was really looking forward to it.

It hurt because I knew the film was going to be amazing, the kind that would travel to festivals and go places. So that’s the only one I can truly say I regret, and even then, it wasn’t really in my power.

Do you have a story of regret? Share it with us by filling out this form.

ALSO READ: How Nigerians Become Notorious on the Internet

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At different periods in Nollywood, certain names commanded screens, conversations and viewers’ imaginations. They were the faces we couldn’t escape, leading men who defined the era of home videos, shaped archetypes, and carried blockbusters on their shoulders.

From drama kings and romantic stars to comic reliefs and rugged villains, they ushered Nollywood into mainstream popularity across Africa and beyond. But as the industry evolved, so did some of these once-prominent actors who quietly stepped back from the spotlight.

This list revisits ten Nollywood actors who were once household names and tracks where life has taken them since their peak screen moments. Some have gracefully transitioned into completely new careers, others have remained in the creative space, and a few have simply chosen quieter lives, far removed from fame and entertainment.

Here are 10 Nollywood actors who once had the spotlight and where they are now.

1. Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu

Used to: Be one of Nollywood’s most charismatic actors

Best known for: Playing Echedoh in Irretractable Mistake

Now: In politics

Bob-Manuel rose during Nollywood’s early home-video boom and became the go-to actor for both lead and high-impact supporting roles in the 2000s. He later expanded into directing and producing in the 2010s and has even received lifetime and industry recognitions since then.

In 2022, he was appointed by Anambra State governor Chukwuma Soludo as a special adviser on entertainment, leisure and tourism. That move formalised his shift toward public service.

2. Charles Izuchukwu Okafor

Used to: Be Nollywood’s ‘moralist’

Best known for: Playing Eddy in The Evil Inside Me

Now: A film director and church minister

Charles Okafor was a popular face in classic Nollywood dramas like Domitila and Computer Girls, before he moved his main focus to projects with moral and religious themes in the late 2010s.

Since then, Charles has taken fewer on-screen parts to concentrate on directing, public speaking, ministry and advocacy. In a recent sit-down episode of Selahmediate Podcast, he stated that while he’s deeply involved in Christian work and faith-based outreach, he remains a filmmaker, contributing behind the scenes to the industry that gave him a platform.

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3. Desmond Oluwashola Elliot

Used to: Be the face of modern Nollywood

Best known for: Playing Angel in Missing Angel

Now: He’s into politics

There are dozens of popular Nollywood movies with Desmond Elliot as the leading man. He was that huge. He built a high-profile acting and directing career from the 2000s to the 2010s.Then in 2014, he declared his interest in politics.

By 2015, he had become active in politics. That year, he won a Lagos Assembly seat and was re-elected in 2023, representing Surulere, transforming his public identity into an actor-turned-politician.

4. Femi Ogedengbe

Used to: Be one of the early popular English-Yoruba actors

Best known for: Playing Father Stephanus in Cross My Sin

Now: An entrepreneur

Femi Ogedengbe was a familiar face in Nollywood during the late 1990s and 2000s, often appearing in Yoruba and English-language films where he carved a niche as a versatile supporting actor. He was a consistent performer who became part of the wave of actors who kept Nollywood buzzing during its VHS and early VCD era.

However, Ogedengbe eventually stepped away from Nollywood. Citing frustrations with the industry, particularly issues of exploitation and lack of financial reward, he relocated to the United States. He once stated that he worked in private security when he landed in the Land of the Free. Now, he’s a businessman there.

5. Kenneth Okonwo

Used to: One of the stars of early Nollywood

Best known for: Playing Andy in Living in Bondage

Now: A lawyer and public affairs analyst

Kenneth Okonkwo was a star of early Nollywood landmarks, became a household name after Living in Bondage (1994), and was a bankable leading man in films of the 1990s and 2000s. He’s known for a wide variety of roles across a long list of movies and television soap operas like Ripples.

In subsequent years, he has remained publicly visible as a political commentator and participant. He’s popularly known for working for the Labour Party and presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections.

6. Oluwajimi “Jimmy” Odukoya

Used to: Be a Nollywood ‘fine boy’ actor

Best known for: Playing Mike in Tempted

Now: He’s a senior pastor

Jimmy Odukoya was an emerging Nollywood actor in the late 2010s and 2020s. He acted in movies and series such as Crazy Grannies, Husbands of Lagos and had a role in The Woman King.

For many years, he balanced acting with ministry. But after the passing of his father, he took on senior leadership at Fountain of Life Church in 2023, stepping back from Nollywood to focus on God’s work.

7. McMorris “Terror D’Archangel” Ndubueze

Used to: Nollywood’s bad boy

Best known for: Playing Terror D’Archangel in War Game

Now: He’s a medical doctor

The actor was widely remembered for cult and tough-guy roles and popularly known in the industry with the stagename Terror D’Archangel.

However, McMorris Ndubueze has since left the entertainment industry and has become a medical doctor in the United States. His career change is part of a larger trend of Nigerians relocating abroad for new professional opportunities, AKA, Japa.

8. Samuel “Sam Dede” Dedetoku

Used to: Be Nollywood’s action man

Best known for: Playing Ebube in Issakaba

Now: He’s a university lecturer

Sam Dede began his acting career in 1995 and gained prominence for his role in the movie Ijele. He is also well-known by the nickname Ebube, which he earned from his lead role in Issakaba, an action movie about fighting crime, that became a cultural touchstone in Nollywood. Dede is often associated with “tough guy” or action-hero roles, showcasing a physical and intense screen presence.

These days, Sam Dede is a rarity in movies. He’s now mostly behind the scenes as a director and an academic lecturing students and mentoring younger actors.

9. Victor Osuagwu

Used to: Be one of Nollywood’s popular comedic actors

Best known for: Playing Adindu in Onye-Eze

Now: He’s an events host and MC

Victor Osuagwu is a veteran Nigerian actor and comedian widely known for his comical, often mischievous characters. In 2013, he assumed a leadership position within the industry and became president of the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). After he left the position, he appeared less in movies and industry glitz.

But if you think his absence from TV means he has been inactive, you’re wrong — Victor Osuagwu is now an MC, event manager and owner of Victor Osuagwu Feed A Child Foundation.

10. Zack Orji

Used to: A power figure in old Nollywood

Best known for: playing Obidike in Last Warning

Now: A pastor and public speaker

Zack Orji is considered a veteran in Nollywood. He began his career in 1991 with his debut film, Unforgiven Sin. He’s also known for his roles in classic films like Glamour Girls (1994) and Blood Money (1997). Orji also once served as the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

In 2012, he took a step back from acting and the limelight after Bishop Lawrence Osagie ordained him a pastor. Since then, he has been preaching in and out of Nigeria.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch On YouTube (September 2025)

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With the rise of Netflix in Nigeria, Nollywood content has very quickly proliferated on the American streaming platform. But not all the content on the platform is worth your time.

In this curated list for September 2025, we highlight ten Nollywood movies streaming on Netflix with gripping storytelling and strong performances, perfect for both first-time viewers and longtime fans.

Whether you’re drawn to suspenseful crime dramas like Yahoo+ or emotional narratives like In Line, there’s something here for every viewer.

Here are the 10 best Nollywood movies to watch on Netflix this September 2025.

10. Rattlesnake (2020)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Ramsey Nouah

Genre: Drama, Thriller

After the death of his father, Ahanna Okolo (Stan Nze), a young man from modest beginnings, turns to crime as a means of survival. What starts as desperation soon evolves into ambition, as he builds a reputation in the criminal underworld while maintaining the façade of a respectable businessman.

As Ahanna’s double life grows more precarious, betrayal and shifting loyalties close in, forcing him to confront the costs of his choices. This Ramsey Nouah thriller is less about the mechanics of heists than the fragile line between survival and corruption, asking what justice can mean when crime becomes the only path forward.

Watch Rattlesnake on Netflix.

9. Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Twin sisters separated at birth grow into strikingly different women: Lefty (Funke Akindele), a sharp-tongued hustler hardened by ghetto life, and Ayomide (also Akindele), a polished professional raised in privilege. When Ayomide returns to Nigeria, their paths cross, pulling her into Lefty’s volatile world of street battles, loyalty tests and survival schemes.

What begins as a clash of personalities unfolds into an uneasy bond, as the sisters struggle to reconcile the worlds that shaped them. This comedy-drama plays as both a riotous portrait of Lagos street life and a tender exploration of family ties stretched across class and circumstance.

Watch Omo Ghetto: The Saga on Netflix.

8. Devil Is A Liar (2025)

Running time: 2h 17m

Director: Moses Inwang

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Adaora Philips (Nse Ikpe-Etim), a successful Lagos realtor, is swept into a whirlwind romance with Jaiye (James Gardiner), a younger man whose charm masks a darker core. Their marriage quickly unravels as his controlling nature comes to light, exposing layers of deceit, infidelity, and a devastating betrayal in the form of an unauthorised hysterectomy that upends Adaora’s life.

With her world collapsing, Adaora leans on her sisters, Beatrice (Padita Agu) and Cheta (Nancy Isime), as she confronts the wreckage of love gone wrong. The strength of this drama-thriller is that it is both intimate and unsettling, a portrait of manipulation and resilience that asks how much one must lose before reclaiming power.

Watch Devil Is A Liar on Netflix.

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7. Yahoo+ (2022)

Running time: 1h 25m

Director: Ebuka Njoku

Genre: Crime, Thriller

In Ebuka Njoku’s Yahoo+, two struggling actors, Ose (Keezyto) and Abacha (Somadina Adinma), abandon their dreams of stardom for a quicker, darker path: cyber fraud. When the petty scams prove unprofitable, they are drawn deeper into “Yahoo+,” a brutal hybrid of online swindling and ritual sacrifice, orchestrated by the calculating fixer Ikolo (Ken Erics).

Their descent is mirrored by Kamso (Echelon Mbadiwe) and Pino-Pino (Ifeoma Obinwa), young women bound by transactional relationships, each caught in the same web of precarity and compromise. The film plays as a taut morality tale about ambition and desperation in a society where survival itself demands dangerous bargains.

Watch Yahoo+ on Netflix.

6. The Wildflower (2022)

Running time: 1h 47m

Director: Biodun Stephen

Genre: Drama

Biodun Stephen’s The Wildflower unfolds as a triptych of survival, tracing the lives of three women across generations bound by the shared weight of male violence. Rolake (Damilare Kuku), an ambitious architecture graduate, secures a coveted role under CEO Gowon Williams (Deyemi Okanlawon), only to find her career ambitions thwarted by harassment and assault.

Parallel stories reveal Mama Adaolisa (Toyin Abraham), long scarred by years of domestic abuse, and her daughter, Adaolisa (Sandra Okunzuwa), whose life is upended by the predation of a neighbour. Woven together, their experiences form a sombre meditation on resilience, silence, and the steep cost of confronting power in a society that too often looks away.

Watch The Wildflower on Netflix.

5. Man of God (2022)

Running time: 1h 51m

Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters

Genre: Drama

Bolanle Austen-Peters’s Man of God traces the restless journey of Samuel Obalolu (Akah Nnani), the son of a stern pastor (Jude Chukwuka) whose rigid faith leaves little room for dissent. Escaping to university, Samuel embraces the liberations of youth—music, romance, and a precarious sense of independence—only to find himself pulled back into the very institution he once fled.

Reinvented as a charismatic church leader, Samuel builds a ministry that thrives on spectacle and influence. Yet beneath the prosperity lies a man shadowed by guilt and betrayal, haunted by the choices that delivered him to power. The film becomes less a tale of religious triumph than a portrait of spiritual disquiet, asking what remains when faith is eclipsed by ambition.

Watch Man of God on Netflix.

4. In Line (2017)

Running time: 1h 55m

Director: Tope Oshin

Genre: Drama

Tope Oshin’s In Line unfolds as a taut marital drama about trust, betrayal, and the scars of past choices. Debo (Uzor Arukwe), recently released from prison, is determined to rebuild his life, but the weight of suspicion lingers. His wife, Kate (Adesua Etomi), has carried the burden in his absence—sustaining his advertising business and preserving the semblance of a shared future.

When paranoia takes hold, Debo enlists the help of a private investigator, Bella (Sika Osei), whose motives prove more ambiguous than expected. What follows is less a story of crime than of erosion—the slow unravelling of intimacy under the strain of secrets and mistrust. In Oshin’s hands, marriage becomes its own kind of prison, where love and loyalty are tested against the darker instincts of fear.

Watch In Line on Netflix.

3. Tokunbo (2024)

Running time: 1h 52m

Director: Ramsey Nouah

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Ramsey Nouah’s Tokunbo is a study in desperation and the shadows of past sins. At its centre is Tokunbo (Gideon Okeke), a reformed car smuggler who has traded his outlaw days for the quiet stability of family life. That fragile peace collapses when his young son falls critically ill, pulling him back toward the orbit of Gaza (Chidi Mokeme), the ruthless former boss he had tried to escape.

What begins as a plea for financial salvation spirals into a descent: a perilous assignment to deliver Nike (Darasimi Nnadi), the kidnapped daughter of a government official, into the hands of her captors. Nouah frames Tokunbo’s return to crime less as a heist than as a moral reckoning, in which the cost of survival collides with the price of lost integrity.

Watch Tokunbo on Netflix.

2. A Lot Like Love (2023)

Running time: 1h 35m

Director: Shittu Taiwo

Genre: Drama, Thriller

A Lot Like Love begins as a marriage drama and veers, with startling swiftness, into a hostage thriller. Fanna (Rahama Sadau), an industrious heiress, finds her union with Abdul (Ibrahim Suleiman) — her father’s loyal aide — fraying under the weight of her career. Hoping to mend the cracks, her father sends them on a romantic retreat to Turkey.

Instead of reconciliation, they encounter violence: armed men intercept the trip, holding the couple for ransom. Drawn into the crisis are Fanna’s confidante, Sadiya (Sophie Alakija), and her former lover, Mustapha (Gabriel Afolayan), complicating both the negotiations and the emotional stakes.

Beneath its kidnappings and betrayals, the film traces the fragility of love under siege, and the uneasy bargains made in the name of survival.

Watch A Lot Like Love on Netflix.

1. Adire (2023)

Running time: 2h 3m

Director: Adeoluwa Owu

Genre: Drama

Adire situates its heroine at the fault lines of reinvention and repression. Kehinde Bankole plays Adire, a former sex worker who absconds with her boss’s money and resettles in a small Oyo State town. There, she recasts herself as a lingerie designer, working with Yoruba adire cloth to create garments that are at once intimate and subversive. Her craft becomes a quiet revolution, offering women in the community agency.

But empowerment does not come without resistance. Adire’s arrival unsettles the town’s fragile moral order, provoking the ire of the Deaconess (Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi), a church leader who sees in her work both impropriety and competition. As the film unfolds, Adire’s past threatens to encroach, even as the new identity she has stitched together offers the possibility of redemption.

Watch Adire on Netflix.

1. High Calling (2020)

Running time: 1h 10m

Director: Gloria Bamiloye

Genre: Drama

John (Fiyinfolu C.P. Okedare) is a young devout Christian who has just completed his undergraduate studies with a third-class degree. Despite his academic setback, John remains steadfast in his faith, believing his success is not tied to earthly achievements but to God’s high calling on his life.

In contrast, his brother Edward (Damilola Mike-Bamiloye) and their father (Kayode Owojori) dismiss John’s church involvement as excessive. Edward views Christian service as “religious stuff,” and their father pressures them into secular priorities based on life’s harsh realities. The movie looks at how at one stays steadfast on the face of immense pressure.

Watch High Calling on YouTube.

2. The Mask (2025)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Sunny Peters

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Kay (Tioluwalogo Olakunbi-Black) and Jay (Ibitoye Ayodele) are two down-on-their-luck friends, forever running late. One morning, Kay’s marathon prayer session—and an unexpected visit from their pastor—delays them even further. By the time they set out, it isn’t for work or a job interview, but for a meeting with a babalawo preparing a ritual meant to secure their success.

Just as they are about to seal the deal, fortune seems to smile on them. They abandon the ritual, convinced they no longer need it—only to discover that walking away from a covenant is never that simple.

Sunny Peters’s comedy-drama probes the uneasy intersection of faith, desperation, and superstition in contemporary Nigeria, asking what people are willing to risk in the pursuit of prosperity.

Watch The Mask on YouTube.

Subscribe to Zikoko Pop newsletter, The Feed, for the most important pop culture news

3. Anchor (2025)

Running time: 1h 14m

Director: Mike Ilemobola

Genre: Romance

From the start, Felix (Joshua Banjo) and Glory (Aanu Kolade) believe their union has been divinely ordained. A prophecy seals their love, promising a bright and certain future together. As their dreams begin to materialize, however, an unforeseen darkness intrudes, threatening to unravel everything they have built. Faced with trials that test both their faith and their bond, the couple must decide whether love alone is enough to withstand forces determined to break them apart.

Mike Ilemobola’s romance fable doubles as a spiritual allegory, exploring the tension between destiny and free will, and the resilience required to hold on to hope when the future turns uncertain

Watch Anchor on YouTube.

4. Perfect Prison (2025)

Running time: 1h 49m

Director: John Oguntuase

Genre: Drama, Romance

One Sunday service spirals into chaos when three women, all vying for Ayomide’s (Jacob James Namah) affection, confront one another in church. But Ayomide, quick to dismiss them all, is less a romantic prize than a chronic heartbreaker. On each new date, his pattern emerges: an obsession with perfection and a disdain for flaws.

As his story unfolds, it becomes clear that Ayomide is not liberated by choice but bound by his own desires—shaped by confusion, carnality, and the scars of a troubled childhood. His relentless pursuit of an ideal woman becomes its own cage.

John Oguntuase’s drama examines how unhealed trauma and rigid ideals can imprison the heart, turning love into a battlefield of projection and pain.

Watch Perfect Prison on YouTube.

5. Prophet Suddenly (2023)

Running time: 1h 48m

Director: Ohis Muyiwa Ojeikere

Genre: Drama

Michael (Ohis Muyiwa Ojeikere) is a devoted family man with one consuming ambition: to become a man of God. Struggling to grow his ministry and desperate for recognition, he seizes what seems like a shortcut to success. After a single, fateful encounter with a spirit, he finds himself catapulted into instant fame—at the cost of his soul.

As Michael’s ministry flourishes, the cracks begin to show, exposing troubling questions about his motives, his integrity, and the true foundation of his faith.

This movie is both a cautionary tale and a moral inquiry, probing the dangers of ambition without conviction and the perilous trade-offs hidden in the pursuit of spiritual power.

Watch Prophet Suddenly on YouTube.

6. Enoch (2023)

Running time: 1h 58m

Directors: John Oguntuase and Damilola Mike-Bamiloye

Genre: Biopic

This sweeping biopic retraces the life of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, beginning with his childhood in Ede, Osun State, where poverty threatened his dream of an education. Structured in five chapters, the film charts his academic brilliance, his romance with Foluke, and the spiritual encounter with Pastor Josiah Akindayomi that transformed the course of his life.

Featuring Abolaji Adebola, Tomiwa Samson and Mike Bamiloye, Enoch portrays not only Adeboye’s struggles and sacrifices but also the divine calling that carried him from obscurity to global influence.

At its heart, the film is less about celebrity than about devotion, presenting Adeboye’s journey as a meditation on faith, resilience, and the power of surrender to a higher purpose.

Watch Enoch on YouTube.

7. Under Siege (2025)

Running time: 2h 7m

Director: Damilola Mike-Bamiloye

Genre: Drama, Musical

Kolade (Greatman Takit) is a gifted musician caught between two worlds. Raised in a devout household, his father, Rev. Emmanuel (Mike Bamiloye), expects him to carry on the family’s ministry. But Kolade’s passion lies elsewhere—in the rhythms and acclaim of secular music. His pursuit of that path draws him into a dangerous web of spiritual conflict, eventually leading to cult entanglement and battles far darker than he ever imagined.

Blending drama with musical performance, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye’s film examines the high stakes of choice and identity, exploring the costs of straying from expectation and the perilous intersections of faith, talent, and temptation.

Watch Under Siege on YouTube.

8. Miracle Next Door (2025)

Running time: 1h 45m

Director: Mike Ilemobola

Genre: Drama

Comfort (Omolara Ayoola) has spent years in prayer and fasting, clinging to every prophecy and promise that one day she will have a husband and family of her own. Yet as time passes, she watches her deepest hopes realized instead by a couple living next door. Their happiness becomes her torment, each shared smile cutting like a wound.

What begins as quiet anguish hardens into resentment, then curdles into bitterness. Soon, envy consumes her, threatening to pull her into choices with devastating consequences. At the breaking point, Comfort must decide whether to release her pain to faith—or let jealousy destroy her and those around her.

Mike Ilemobola’s drama is both intimate and cautionary, probing the corrosive power of envy while reflecting on the fragility of hope when faith is tested by delay.

Watch Miracle Next Door on YouTube.

9. Broken Hallelujah (2025)

Running time: 2h 22m

Director: Great Valentine Edochie

Genre: Drama

Odukwudili and Moroundiya (Daniel Etim-Effiong and Bimbo Ademoye) are a young couple whose marriage begins to fracture under the weight of infertility. Despite their wealth and access to medical options, the one thing they desire most remains out of reach.

Their journey takes them from fervent fasting and tireless prayer to the promise of IVF, but each attempt ends in fresh disappointment. As hope wanes, faith falters, and their bond is tested, Moroundiya teeters on the edge of despair—until the unexpected finally arrives.

Great Valentine Edochie’s drama is both tender and unflinching, examining the strains infertility places on love, faith, and identity, and the quiet resilience required to keep believing in the face of heartbreak.

Watch Broken Hallelujah on YouTube.

10. Under Lock (2025)

Running time: 1h 49m

Director: John Oguntuase

Genre: Thriller

On his way home to his anxious, paranoid mother, a man (Tolu Adegbo) hears breaking news: a dangerous criminal is on the loose and residents are urged to stay indoors. When he reaches their house, it is eerily empty—his mother nowhere in sight, her Bible left half-open on the table.

As he searches frantically, he is suddenly knocked unconscious. He wakes bound and helpless, confronted with a chilling ultimatum: produce ₦30 million within thirty minutes or watch his mother die.

John Oguntuase’s thriller fuses suspense with moral urgency, exploring fear, desperation, and the crushing weight of impossible choices when love collides with danger.

Watch Under Lock on YouTube.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch On YouTube (September 2025)

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This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.

A lot has been said globally about the slow death of the cinema, but some films really just hit different on the big screen. More than just watching a story, it’s the sound shaking through the hall, the HD visuals pulling you in, and the shared reactions of a packed audience that make for an experience that’s hard to replicate at home.

That’s why missing a Nollywood cinema run can sting. By the time you finally catch the movie on a streaming platform or, worse, hear your friends gushing about the experience, you’re left wondering what it would have felt like to sit in that dark hall, lights down, surrounded by Nigerians gleefully reacting to every twist and turn.

As part of our Had I Known theme for the month of September, we asked 10 Nigerians which Nollywood movies they regret not experiencing in the cinema.

1. Ajosepo (2024)

Director: Kayode Kasum

Running time: 2h 14m

Genre: Romance, Comedy

This film follows a couple, Dapo and Tani, who are preparing for their wedding. On their wedding eve, things take an interesting turn when Dapo’s father is caught in a scandalous affair with Tani’s aunt. In a bid to save the wedding and their families from scandal, Dapo and his estranged brother Jide (Timini Egbuson) must navigate misadventures, unravel family secrets and hidden hypocrisies.

“The trailer looked so good and hilarious, and since I’m a big fan of comedy, I was excited. A lot of my faves, like Bisola Aiyeola, Tomike, and Mike Afolarin, were in it too. Unfortunately, I wasn’t near a cinema at the time, so I missed it. I’ve been waiting over a year for it to hit streaming platforms… cries in deep sadness.” — Fifi

The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.

2. Ayinla (2021)

Director: Tunde Kelani

Running time: 1h 59m

Genre: Drama

Ayinla is a passionate retelling of the life and tragic fall of Apala legend Ayinla Omowura (Lateef Adedimeji). Set in 1970s Abeokuta, the film follows the magnetic yet self-destructive musician whose rising fame, tangled love affairs, and hostilities with his manager (Mr Macaroni) culminate in an unexpected ending.

With Lateef Adedimeji delivering a stellar performance as Ayinla and Kelani recreating the era through music and costumes, Ayinla feels less like a biopic and more like a cultural homage, celebrating Yoruba culture while reminding us how talent often dances too close to drama.

“I completely missed the hype when it first came out, only to discover later that it was actually a brilliant film. Even though it told the story of a tragic end, the way it was executed made me wish I had experienced it with the emotions of a cinema audience.” — Beloved

Watch Ayinla on Netflix.

3. Ori: The Rebirth (2025)

Director: Tope Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Adebayo Tijani

Running time: 1h 59m

Genre: Drama

Ori: The Rebirth revives one of Nollywood’s most iconic spiritual dramas, serving as a sequel to Muyiwa Ademola’s 2004 classic Ori. Where the original became a pacesetter for metaphysical storytelling, this new chapter deepens the exploration of fate, sacrifice, and the cosmic balance of good and evil.

The story follows Bisade, whose tragic death at the hands of a secret cult sparks a confrontation between the earthly and the divine. Ademola returns, this time joined by an all-star cast — Toyin Abraham, Bimbo Akintola, Sola Sobowale, Omowunmi Dada, Ifayemi Elebuibon, Dele Odule, Joke Muyiwa — who all deliver. With its sweeping visuals and weighty spiritual symbolism, the film proves that Nollywood’s mythology-driven epics can also be box-office powerhouses, grossing over ₦419 million.

“I’m not much of a cinema person, and since it was only showing there, I missed it. I feel like this movie could have been the one to finally break my cinema-phobia, but I missed it. ” — Sandra

The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.

4. A Tribe Called Judah (2024)

Director: Funke Akindele

Running time: 2h 14m

Genre: Comedy

A Tribe Called Judah, another blockbuster from Funke Akindele, tells the story of a heist woven through the everyday struggles of a Nigerian family. Akindele directs and stars as Jedidah, a single mother with five sons played by Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde, and Olumide Oworu whose lives collide when illness and poverty push them toward desperate choices. What could have been a straightforward crime story instead becomes a layered portrait of resilience and the weight of family bonds.

“I don’t trust when Nigerians hype things, and since my friends didn’t push me to watch it either, I just let it pass. Looking back, I definitely regret not trusting the hype back then.” — Khalee

Watch A Tribe Called Judah on Prime Video.

ALSO READ: 40 Best Bollywood Movies to Watch, Ranked By Nigerian Fans

5. Red Circle (2025)

Director: Akay Mason

Running time: 1h 59m

Genre: Drama

Red Circle follows Fikayo Holloway, a journalist from a wealthy Lagos family whose curiosity pulls her into a conspiracy far bigger than she could imagine Played by Folu Storms, Fikayo becomes the audience’s way into a story that blurs the line between seeking and encountering danger. The film surrounds her with a stellar ensemble that includes Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, and Bukky Wright.

At its core, the movie is less about crime than it is about power — how it’s hoarded, abused, and challenged in a society where influence feels untouchable. Akay Mason keeps the tension palpable while drawing the audience into Lagos’ social realities. The result is a sleek thriller that not only entertains but probes the costs of ambition.

“I genuinely wanted to see it, but I just didn’t have the time and the nearest cinema was too far. Missing it still stings.” — Chi

Watch Red Circle on Youtube.

6. Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024)

Director: Funke Akindele, Akinlabi Ishola, Collins Okoh

Running time: 2h 15m

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Drama seems to follow Jenifa (Funke Akindele) wherever she goes, and in this sequel, even her good intentions can’t shield her from trouble. Funke Akindele leans fully into Jenifa’s mix of charm and clumsiness, as a bag of misplaced drugs pulls her from Lagos to Ghana in a whirlwind of danger.

Falz’s Shege brings his easy humor, while Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, and Jackie Appiah add depth to the story with their unique acting style. Beneath the laughter is a showcase of how envy and betrayal can creep in when success finally arrives. The film may revel in slapstick comedy, but its heart beats with the joy of community.

“I didn’t get the chance to see it in cinemas, but now that it’s finally on Prime Video, I’m glad I’ll get to watch it soon.” — Jojo Gera

Watch Everybody Loves Jenifa on Prime Video.

7. Gangs of Lagos (2023)

Director: Jade Osiberu

Running time: 2h 4m

Genre: Crime, Thriller

A young man’s childhood grief becomes the spark that ignites Lagos’s underworld in Gangs of Lagos. Tobi Bakre embodies Obalola with fierceness, while Adesua Etomi as Gift and Chike as Ify pull the story together. A stolen bag and a sensational act of bravery pulls Obalola into the orbit of Nino, a rising gang leader digging himself into the city’s violent roots.

The film tracks Obalola’s transformation from a grieving boy into a feared crime lord. Jade Osiberu showcases her sharp eye for detail, weaving visceral action with a humanising lens that challenges viewers to see past labels of “gangster.”

“When Gangs of Lagos came out, I just didn’t have the time. To be honest, I’m also a bit lazy about watching movies… lol. Hopefully one day I’ll finally sit down to watch it.” — Daisy

Watch Gangs of Lagos on Prime Video.

8. King of Boys (2018)

Director: Kemi Adetiba

Running time: 2h 49m

Genre: Crime, Thriller

In King of Boys, Alhaja Eniola Salami (Sola Sobowale) is a formidable businesswoman and philanthropist with a shadowy past and a burgeoning political future. As her ambitions soar, she finds herself ensnared in a perilous power struggle that threatens everything she holds dear.

Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the film explores loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of ambition. The ensemble cast includes Adesua Etomi as Kemi Salami, Toni Tones as Young Eniola, Reminisce as Makanaki, and Illbliss as Odogwu Malay. King of Boys offers a gripping narrative that keeps audiences on edge and glued to the screen.

“That’s the kind of movie you should really enjoy for the first time with other people, not alone. I regret missing out on that shared viewing experience.” — Tams

Watch King Of Boys on Netflix.

9. Queen Lateefah (2024)

Director: Adeoluwa Owu

Running time: 2h

Genre: Crime, Thriller

In Queen Lateefah, Lateefah Adeleke (Wumi Toriola) rules her world with confidence and a wardrobe of carefully curated lies until her persona is challenged by Jide Rhodes (Kunle Remi), a dashing businessman who’s intrigued by more than just her façade. The film is centred around one key question: would she choose love or money?

The film’s star studded supporting cast, including Femi Adebayo, Nancy Isime, Lateef Adedimeji andBroda Shaggi, bring balance to the film. While the central story feels like every other con artist story, the movie avoids those clichés. Ultimately, it delivers an entertaining experience that finely mixes drama, comedy and romance.

“The trailers looked really good, but somehow I still haven’t gotten around to watching it. I kind of wish I’d just gone to the cinema back then.” -Adebola

The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.

10. Farmer’s Bride (2024)

Director: Jack’enneth Opukeme, Adebayo Tijani

Running time: 1h 52m

Genre: Drama

Set in 1980s Ibadan, Farmer’s Bride carries echoes of Charlotte Mew’s 1912 poem, where a young bride is trapped in a loveless marriage and yearns for freedom. In Jackenneth Opukeme’s film, that same dynamic plays out in 1980s Ibadan, as Funmi (Gbubemi Ejeye) is forced into marriage with Odun (Femi Branch), a wealthy but lonely farmer. Like Mew’s bride, Funmi resists the life imposed on her, and her restlessness finds dangerous release in an affair with Odun’s nephew, played by Tobi Bakre

What begins as a period romance unravels into betrayal, as duty collides with desire and tradition with personal freedom. Director Jackenneth Opukeme captures the cultural richness of Yoruba life while building a story that feels both intimate and unsettling. The result is a gripping drama about love and the costs of defying expectations.

“The trailer and little clips looked really good, but at this point I don’t think they’ll ever release it on streaming platforms. That makes missing out on it even more painful.” — Dee

The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.

Do you have a story of regret? Share it with us by filling this form.

ALSO READ: 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch When You’re Homesick Abroad

Forget endless scrolling through paid subscription platforms. If you know where to look, you’ll find the best Nollywood movies on YouTube.

From romcoms to family dramas, the movies on this platform will keep you glued to your screen till the very end.

In this month of September, we’ve combed through the best Nollywood has to offer and selected 10 of the best. Whether you’re in the mood for an epic, a modern-day love story, or a star-studded drama, there is something for everyone on this list.

Here are the 10 best Nollywood movies to watch on YouTube this month:

10. Early Marriage (2006)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Chika Onu

Genre: Drama

After chasing her wealthy son’s girlfriend away, Nwanne (Patience Ozokwor) persuades Nnenna (Chioma Chukwuka), a beautiful and hardworking village girl, to marry him.

Hoping for a brighter future, Nnenna finds her way into a relationship with the guy (Bob Manuel Udokwu) and moves to the city with him, only to be deceived by a supposed new friend (Oge Okoye).

Blinded by promises of glamour and freedom, Nnenna strays far from her values, but it may already be too late to undo the damage by the time she realises.

Watch Early Marriage on YouTube.

9. After a Night in July (2025)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Great Valentine Edochie

Genre: Drama, Romance

When the love between Helen (Uche Montana) and Charles (Eso Dike) results in an unplanned pregnancy and a hasty wedding, the reality of married life quickly sets in. Their first year together is a storm of sleepless nights with a newborn, career pressures, financial strain, meddling exes and unresolved family baggage.

What once felt like passion is now unbearable, forcing them to question the foundation of their union. With counselling and honesty, the couple must decide if their bond can withstand the cracks in their trust. It’s the sequel to A Night in July.

Watch After a Night In July on YouTube.

8. And Then Grace Came (2025)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Great Valentine Edochie

Genre: Drama

Grace (Bimbo Ademoye) is a nurse and youth minister whose life revolves around faith, service, and the clear path her church community envisions for her. But everything changes when she crosses paths with Kunle (Taye Arimoro), a neighbour carrying the weight of a troubled past.

Drawn to his vulnerability, she finds herself caught between her growing affection for him and the expectations of her spiritual family, who insist that her future lies with Richard (Great Valentine Edochie), a perfect Christian suitor.

As love, faith and buried past collide, Grace must confront her heart’s desires and seek clarity on whether destiny is shaped by others’ expectations or by God’s plan for her life.

Watch And The Grace Came on YouTube.

7. Osuofia In London (2003)

Running time: 2h 36m

Director: Kingsley Ogoro

Genre: Comedy, Drama

After his brother dies, Osuofia (Nkem Owoh) travels to the United Kingdom to take charge of his estate with his wife, a white woman. But he soon realises that life in London is not what he had imagined in his tiny southern village.

What should be a straightforward process turns into a comedic rollercoaster as Osuofia is bewildered by everything from London’s food to its social etiquette. This classic comedy is one of the few in the “novice clown” genre that manages to be actually funny.

Watch Osuofia In London on YouTube.

6. Oloibiri (2015)

Running time: 1h 34m

Director: Curtis Graham

Genre: Action, Drama

This social drama is set in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, a small town struggling with clean water. After a massive oil and gas corporation learns that crude oil nests on the soil of the town, even more doom is spelt for the people of Oloibiri.

It remains Gunpowder (Richard Mofe-Damijo), a hardened militant leader scarred by years of broken promises and environmental ruins, to decide the fate of the community.

This movie tackles the impending climate crisis that threatens a massive portion of the Niger Delta.

Watch Oloibiri on YouTube.

5. Two Brides and A Baby (2011)

Running time: 1h 31

Director: Teco Benson

Genre: Romcom

Keche (OC Ukeje) and Banke (Stella Damasus) are a couple preparing for their dream wedding. Everything seems flawless until Keche’s ex, Ama (Kehinde Bankole), unexpectedly returns. Her reappearance throws Keche into an emotional whirlwind, forcing him to confront unresolved feelings, question his choices and unavoidably jeopardise his future with Banke.

The movie intensifies as the wedding day draws near, and all parties in this triangle face each other.

Watch Two Brides and A Baby on YouTube.

4. State of Emergency (2004)

Running time: 3h 26

Director: Teco Benson

Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller

After a militant group of former disgruntled soldiers turns to terrorism and kidnapping, causing chaos in the country, law enforcement must fight back. Detective Smith (Saint Obi), a fearless police officer who has become the linchpin of the law enforcement’s response, steps up to protect the nation and lead the counter-attack against the criminal group.

From gunfights to intense dialogue exchanges, this classic Nollywood thriller is guaranteed to get your blood pumping fast.

Watch State of Emergency on YouTube.

3. Issakaba (Part 1 & 2) (2001)

Running time: 4h 31m

Director: Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun

Genre: Action, Crime

The title of the classic gritty Nollywood movie is derived from Bakassi spelt backwards, referencing the real-life Bakassi Boys vigilante group that rose to prominence in Eastern Nigeria in the late 1990s to fight the wave of violent armed robbery and ritual killings terrorising their communities.

Issakaba is an action thriller that keeps giving. Years after Sam Dede’s performance as the leader of the group that taught young boys to fight violence, the film remains as exciting as it was when it was first released at the turn of the century.

Watch Issakaba (Part 1 & 2) on YouTube.

2. Koseegbe (1995)

Running time: 1h 45m

Director: Tunde Kelani

Genre: Drama

This movie tells the story of Makanjuola Kosegbe (Kola Oyewo), a principled man appointed to head a government agency plagued by deep corruption. Instead of joining the rotten system, he takes a firm stand against bribery, embezzlement and political manipulation.

His uncompromising honesty makes him both admired and hated. The public, who long for integrity, loves him, but corrupt officials and civil servants hate him because they see him as a threat.

Watch Koseegbe on YouTube.

1. The Figurine (Araromire) (2009)

Running time: 2h

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Mystery

Two friends, Sola (Kunle Afolayan) and Femi (Ramsey Nouah), discover a mysterious figurine during their National Youth Service in a remote village. The figurine is tied to an ancient goddess, Araromire, who is said to bring seven years of good fortune followed by seven years of misfortune.

At first, their lives transform. Love, success, and prosperity fall into place effortlessly. But as the seven-year cycle shifts, tragedy and chaos find them, and they’re forced to confront a decision they made years ago without thinking deeply.

Watch The Figurine (Araromire) on YouTube.

ALSO READ: 40 Best Bollywood Movies to Watch, Ranked By Nigerian Fans

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When Nollywood is mentioned, the stories and sheer volume of films often dominate the conversation. But beneath the industry’s speed and spectacle lies its best treasure: performances that etch themselves into memory.

From Richard Mofe-Damijo’s embodiment of anger and betrayal in Oloibiri, to Nkem Owoh’s layered comedy in Osuofia in London, to Saint Obi’s commanding presence in State of Emergency, these roles show the full range of Nollywood’s talent.

This list spotlights moments where skill, charisma, and storytelling blend so perfectly that the performance becomes as large as the film itself.

Here are the 20 best performances by an actor in a Nollywood movie, ranked.

20. Saint Obi in State of Emergency (2004)

Running time: 3h 26m

Director: Teco Benson

Genre: Action, Crime

Saint Obi stars as Detective Smith, a fearless lawman guided by an unshakable moral compass. He’s pitted against Omega 12, a militant group of ex-soldiers who turn to terrorism and hostage-taking to destabilise the nation.

As chaos escalates, Detective Smith becomes the linchpin of law enforcement’s response, fearlessly charging into danger when others hesitate.

What makes Obi’s performance memorable is not just the physical demands of the role, but the way he balances intensity with charisma, commanding the screen throughout.

Watch State of Emergency on YouTube.

19. Nkem Owoh in Osuofia In London (Part 1 & 2) (2003)

Running time: 2h 36m

Director: Kingsley Ogoro

Genre: Comedy, Drama

In this comedy, Nkem Owoh plays Osuofia, a back-country villager who flies to London after inheriting his late brother’s estate and promptly confronts a world of cultural misreadings. From the moment Osuofia arrives, he commits to being embarrassingly honest in public, leading to some of his most human beats: the pride that won’t let his dignity be mocked and the brief tenderness when he confronts grief for his dead brother.

Osuofia in London became one of Nollywood’s most widely seen comedies and spawned a sequel and countless references in pop culture; Owoh’s performance turned into a durable persona that cemented his status as one of Nollywood’s most recognisable comedic stars.

Watch Osuofia In London (Part 1 & 2) on YouTube.

18. Uzor Arukwe in A Tribe Called Judah (2023)

Running time: 2h 14m

Directors: Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Uzor Arukwe plays Chairman Chigozie Onouha, the flamboyant, sharp-witted and mischievous semi-literate owner of C & K Furniture, who also happens to be a suspected money launderer and ex-boss of Emeka (Jide Kene Achufusi). Arukwe’s Chairman Onouha lingers in the mind not just as a formidable obstacle for the Judah family and a funny supporting character, but as a compelling representation of opportunity and threat.

Arukwe finds the perfect balance. He delivers fun but seamlessly shifts into tension when his character’s power dynamic demands it.

Watch A Tribe Called Judah on Prime Video.

17. Sam Dede in Issakaba (Part 1 & 2) (2001)

Running time: 4h 31m

Director: Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun

Genre: Action, Crime

Sam Dede plays Ebube, the fearless leader of the Issakaba vigilante group who takes up arms against the terror of armed robbers and ritualists wreaking havoc in Eastern Nigeria. He doesn’t just bark orders or swing machetes; he acts with the gravitas of a man burdened by responsibility, constantly negotiating the thin line between justice and violence.

It’s considered his best performance because it captured everything Sam Dede represents as an actor: intensity, intelligence, and an unshakeable screen presence. Issakaba became a cultural touchstone, one of Nollywood’s most influential films, largely because of Dede’s portrayal of Ebube.

Watch Issakaba Part 1 & 2 on YouTube.

16. Lateef Adedimeji in Ayinla (2021)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Tunde Kelani

Genre: Drama, Musical

In this musical drama that imagines the life and work of Ayinla Omowura, actor Lateef Adedimeji plays the legendary Àpàlà singer whose music made him a giant in southwestern Nigeria in the 1970s.

The movie follows Ayinla’s rise from local mainstay to star, his relationship with bandmates, lovers, and promoters, his appetite for the good life, his temper, and the tensions that swirl around a prideful, complicated artist.

He convincingly mimes complex lyrics, channelling the charismatic showmanship that makes Ayinla come alive on screen.

Ayinla is streaming on Netflix, but is unavailable in Nigeria.

15. Timini Egbuson in Elevator Baby (2019)

Running time: 1h 23m

Director: Akay Ilozobhie

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Timini Egbuson plays Dare, a spoiled, hot-headed young man born with a silver spoon who becomes trapped in an elevator with Abigail, a heavily pregnant woman played by Toyin Abraham. When she goes into labour in a stuck elevator, Dare has to strip away his arrogance and rise to save her life.

What begins as a clash of personalities slowly transforms into a redemptive journey, with Dare confronting his own immaturity and privilege in the face of a life-or-death crisis. This performance is widely considered his best because it required him to carry the emotional weight of this two-character movie.

Watch Elevator Baby on Prime Video.

14. Stan Nze in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020)

Running time: 2h 25m

Director: Ramsey Nouah

Genre: Action Thriller

Stan Nze plays Ahanna Okolo, a young man whose life unravels after a series of desperate choices pulls him into the world of organised crime and bloody retribution. As Ahanna rises from petty schemes to dangerous power, the story explores how loyalty, love, and the will to survive drive him to increasingly extreme acts—while the past he thought he escaped continues to haunt him.

Nze delivers a layered performance, making Ahanna empathetic without excusing his violence. He invites the audience into the mind of a man capable of terrible acts, yet still recognisably human.

Watch Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story on Netflix.

13. Kelechi Ugbede in Collision Course (2022)

Running time: 1h 15

Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters

Genre: Action, Drama

Kelechi Udegbe plays Corporal Magnus, a struggling police officer weighed down by financial hardship and desperate to climb the ranks. His path collides with that of Mide, an aspiring musician, at a roadside checkpoint where bribes are a means of survival.

When Magnus accidentally shoots Mide, the incident sparks a chain of legal and social fallout that reverberates through a nation already scarred by state violence. Udegbe brings depth to the role, portraying Magnus not as villain or hero, but as a man caught between duty, survival, and conscience.

Watch Collision Course on Netflix.

12. Tobi Bakre in Farmer’s Bride (2023)

Running time: 1h 52m

Directors: Jack’enneth Opukeme and Adebayo Tijani

Genre: Drama

Tobi Bakre plays Femi, the nephew of a wealthy farmer who returns from the city, a wood carver rather than an academic. His unexpected chemistry with Funmi, his uncle’s young wife, becomes the catalyst for tragedy. He balances the attraction toward Funmi with the weight of his actions: there’s excitement in his movements, but each choice he makes carries a cost.

This is Tobi Bakre’s best performance because he refuses to play Femi as a straightforward romantic lead. Instead, he presents a character who is both alluring and flawed, whose charm leads to destruction.

Farmer’s Bride isn’t streaming anywhere at the moment.

11. Odunlade Adekola in Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman (2022)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Biyi Bandele

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Odunlade Adekola takes on the role of Elesin, the king’s horseman. When the Alaafin dies, Elesin is customarily obliged to accompany his ruler into the afterlife through a ritual self-sacrifice so that the king’s spirit may pass safely to the ancestors. Elesin greets his final day with a boisterous celebration, but his human frailty and the disruptive presence of colonial authorities interrupt the ritual.

Adekola’s performance anchors the movie with a rare mix of bravado and interior collapse, showing his dawning comprehension of loss. His body language and vocal restraint carry the film’s moral dissonance in ways that dialogue alone could not.

Watch Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman on Netflix.

10. Femi Adebayo in Jagun Jagun (2023)

Running time: 2h 13m

Directors: Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani

Genre: Action, Drama

Femi Adebayo plays Ogunjimi, a fearsome and revered warlord whose ambition threatens to consume everything around him. The film unfolds as a battle of ideologies and wills, with Ogunjimi embodying ruthless power. It becomes a sweeping exploration of leadership, betrayal, and the corrupting lure of dominance.

What makes this Adebayo’s best performance is how thoroughly he embodies the contradictions of his character. He is not a one-dimensional villain; instead, he is both admirable and terrifying, a leader capable of inspiring loyalty but undone by pride and paranoia.

Watch Jagun Jagun on Netflix.

9. Richard Mofe-Damijo in Oloibiri (2015)

Running time: 1h 34m

Director: Curtis Graham

Genre: Action, Thriller

Richard Mofe-Damijo plays Gunpowder, a militant leader consumed by anger and disillusionment. He’s a man broken by betrayal and neglect, whose militancy is less about greed than about a desperate and wounded cry for justice. His physical presence commands the screen: every movement, barked order and glare conveys the frustration of an entire generation of Niger Delta youths.

Rather than a one-note villain or rebel, he emerges as a fully realised character whose choices are shaped by systemic failures. RMD strips away the glamour usually associated with his screen presence and leans into grit and anguish, creating a performance that is as unsettling as it is captivating.

Watch Oloibiri on YouTube.

8. Fakunle Rotimi in Gangs of Lagos (2023)

Running time: 2h 4m

Director: Jadesola Osiberu

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Fakunle Rotimi plays Kazeem, the calculating political figure whose manipulative grip on the gangs of Lagos underscores the systemic corruption at the heart of Lagos politics. But unlike the overtly violent gang leaders, Kazeem embodies a more dangerous type of villain: the one cloaked in respectability yet pulling the deadliest triggers from the shadows.

This performance is compelling because Rotimi allows menace to seep through subtlety rather than loud declarations. His tone and expressions are measured, yet the weight of his authority is undeniable. His restraint creates an aura of unpredictability: you are never quite sure when his calm will tilt into cruelty.

Watch Gangs of Lagos on Prime Video.

7. Ramsey Nouah in The Figurine (2009)

Running time: 2h

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Mystery

Ramsey Nouah plays Femi, a carefree youth who grows into an accomplished man whose world slowly corrodes under jealousy, betrayal, and supernatural dread. He, alongside his friend Sola (Kunle Afolayan) discovers a mysterious figurine that grants seven years of good luck to whoever possesses it. They find success but after some time, misfortune finds them. Now, they’re forced to confront whether fate, superstition or result of their choices.

The story darkens as he shades Femi with insecurity and resentment. This movie showed him not just as a matinee idol but as a serious dramatic actor, capable of carrying complex themes of destiny, greed, and human weakness.

Watch The Figurine on YouTube.

6. Gabriel Afolayan in Coming From Insanity (2019)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Akinyemi Sebastian Akinropo

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Gabriel Afolayan plays Kossi, a young Togolese boy trafficked into Nigeria as a domestic servant who grows into a brilliant yet conflicted man. The film tells the story of Kossi’s transformation into a self-taught genius with an unusual gift for counterfeiting. When his criminal ingenuity draws the attention of law enforcement and dangerous circles alike, Kossi must navigate the thin line between survival, ambition, and redemption.

As Kossi, Afolayan plays a character whose contradictions demand subtlety and restraint. He doesn’t play Kossi as an antihero; instead, he makes him a layered character who’s equally sympathetic, dangerous, and inspiring.

Watch Coming From Insanity on Prime Video.

5. Femi Jacobs in The Meeting (2012)

Running time: 2h 12m

Director: Mildred Okwo

Genre: Drama

Jacobs plays Makinde Esho, a mild-mannered Lagos-based corporate executive who travels to Abuja to secure a crucial government contract. What should be a simple meeting with a ministry official turns into days of endless waiting, stonewalling, and power games, thanks mainly to the formidable secretary Clara Ikemba (Rita Dominic).

As Makinde navigates this frustrating maze, he also develops an unexpected bond with Ejura (Linda Ejiofor), a young National Youth Service Corps member.

As Makinde, Femi Jacobs embodies the quintessential everyman caught by Nigeria’s institutional inefficiencies.

Watch The Meeting on YouTube.

4. Kunle Remi in Anikulapo (2022)

Running time: 1h 51m

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Drama, Fantasy

Kunle Remi plays Saro, a cloth weaver who drifts into a town and into the world of Queen Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye). A sudden and forbidden romance with the queen pulls him into palace life and danger.

Out of love, Arolake gives him a small, magical gourd that can restore the dead, but Saro uses the power to change his fortune. Wealth and influence follow, but so do moral compromise and supernatural consequence.

What starts as a rags-to-riches tale quickly becomes a cautionary drama about the cost of cheating death and the corrosion of character when power meets appetite. Remi threads Saro’s contradictions carefully as he makes the character credible as an ordinary working man, then believable as someone seduced by privilege, and finally as a defeated figure haunted by the fallout of his choices.

Watch Anikulapo on Netflix.

3. Wale Ojo in Breath of Life (2024)

Running time: 1h 54m

Director: BB Sasore

Genre: Drama

Wale Ojo plays Timi, a once brilliant and devout clergyman whose life spirals into despair after a devastating personal tragedy. He abandons his faith, isolates himself from the world, and lives as a broken shell of the man he once was, until a young protégé, Elijah (Chimezie Imo), comes into his life, forcing him to confront his grief, rediscover purpose and find redemption.

As Timi, Wale Ojo embodies the arc of a man drowning in silence and regret; his performance captures the long shadow grief can cast on a life.

Watch Breath Of Life on Prime Video.

2. OC Ukeje in Two Brides and a Baby (2011)

Running time: 1h 31m

Director: Teco Benson

Genre: Romcom

OC Ukeje plays Kole Badmus, the groom whose calm façade cracks as old mistakes and old loves collide with the promise of a new life. The future of his relationship is thrown into chaos when a figure from the groom’s past turns up with a baby on the eve of the wedding.

In this film, Ukeje moves with both quiet intensity and vulnerability: in lighter moments, he can read as awkwardly charming, and in tense scenes, he switches into a man who must answer for choices he once thought were buried.

In this movie, Ukeje is the central character and his acting proves him as an actor capable of delivering complex romantic roles.

Watch Two Brides and a Baby on YouTube.

1. Kola Oyewo in Saworoide (1999)

Running time: 1h 45m

Director: Tunde Kelani

Genre: Drama

Set in the fictional Yoruba town of Jogbo, Kola Oyewo plays Lapite, an ambitious nobleman who conspires to ascend the throne without undergoing the sacred rites. He ushers in a reign of corruption, greed, and abuse of power. His defiance of tradition unbalances the kingdom, setting off a chain of turmoil, betrayal, and resistance that allegorises the decay of governance and morality in Nigeria’s political life.

Playing the role of the manipulative and power-hungry king, Oyewo embodies the archetypal political elite: eloquent, cunning and deeply dangerous to the stability of the community. His character is both a product and a driver of Jogbo’s political crisis, and his interpretation gives flesh to Kelani’s vision.

Watch Saworoide on YouTube.

ALSO READ: 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch When You Need a Good Cry

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Nollywood has never been shy about bringing the heat. From sultry glances to steamy love scenes, Nigerian movies are not strangers to tantalising sexy scenes.

Whether forbidden love, messy entanglements, or passion that just won’t quit, there are Nollywood movies on Netflix that prove that the industry knows exactly how to turn up the heat.

If you’re looking for something bold and downright sexy, here are the ten sexiest Nollywood movies you can stream on Netflix right now.

10. Finding Hubby (2020)

Running time: 1h 44m

Director: Femi D. Ogunsanwo

Genre: Romcom

Oyin Clegg (Ade Laoye) is a successful career woman trying to balance a demanding job, pressure from her family, and her own search for love.

Her journey captures the full colours of romance, lust, and Lagos dating chaos, from high-fashion moments to flirty dinner dates, one-night stands, and late-night temptations.

Finding Hubby is streaming on Netflix, but is unavailable in Nigeria.

9. Couple of Days (2016)

Running time: 1h 42m

Director: Tolu Lordtanner

Genre: Drama, Romance

Set in Ibadan, three couples (Ademola Adedeoyin and Kiki Omeili, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and Okey Uzoeshi, Lilian Esoro and Enyinna Nwigwe) come together for what should be a lighthearted holiday. But intimacy has a way of peeling back facades.

Between candlelit dinners, fun hangouts and late-night conversations, hidden truths begin to slip out; from infidelity to unspoken desires. At the core, this movie shows that love is always complicated.

Watch Couple Of Days on Netflix.

8. Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (2022)

Running time: 2h

Director: Adebayo Tijani

Genre: Drama

Ashabi (Toyin Abraham), daughter of a powerful church founder, is cast out after a scandal. Years later, she re-emerges as a stripper, determined to take revenge on her father’s prized protégé — Pastor (Kunle Remi), a flamboyant womaniser whose holy image masks deep corruption.

As Ashabi tempts and provokes, every scene simmers with tension, blurring the lines between sin, desire, and salvation.

Watch Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper on Netflix.

7. 2 Weeks In Lagos (2019)

Running time: 1h 57m

Director: Kathryn Fasegha

Genre: Romcom

Ejikeme (Mawuli Gavor), a young investment banker recently returned from abroad, is quickly caught up in Lagos’s heat and temptations. When he meets Lola (Beverly Naya), his business partner’s sister, sparks fly instantly.

Over just two weeks, their chemistry grows into a romance that must withstand family pressures — but their bond proves stronger than the obstacles around them.

Watch 2 Weeks In Lagos on Netflix.

6. A Lagos Love Story (2024)

Running time: 1h 44m

Director: Chinazam Onuzo

Genre: Romcom

Promise (Jemima Osunde), an ambitious event planner, is torn between supporting her family and surviving the demands of Lagos high society. When she crosses paths with a rising Afrobeats star (Mike Folarin), sparks fly instantly.

Their chemistry is undeniable, and the film unfolds as a sweet, lighthearted fantasy where romance, tenderness, and temptation blend seamlessly.

Watch A Lagos Love Story on Netflix.

5. Flower Girl (2013)

Running time: 1h 46m

Director: Michelle Bello

Genre: Romcom

Kemi (Damilola Adegbite), a sweet but slightly awkward florist, dreams of marrying her long-time boyfriend, Umar (Chris Attoh). But when Umar suddenly dumps her, Kemi hatches a daring plan with Nollywood star Tunde (Blossom Chukwujekwu) to win him back.

What starts as a fake romance soon blossoms into real sparks, with stolen kisses, sharp banter, and undeniable chemistry. A charming love story with just the right mix of sweetness and seductive edge.

Flower Girl is steaming on Netflix, but unavailable in Nigeria.

4. Isoken (2017)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Jadesola Osiberu

Genre: Romcom

At 34, Isoken (Dakore Egbuson-Akande) is successful, beautiful, and thriving — but to her family, she’s still “incomplete” without a husband.

Under pressure, she finds herself torn between two men: Osaze (Joseph Benjamin), the traditional Edo bachelor her family approves of, and Kevin (Marc Rhys), a white photographer whose easy charm sparks something deeper in her.

The romance unfolds as a slow burn, where the sexiness lies not in grand gestures but in hesitant touches, stolen glances, and the tension of cultural expectations clashing with personal desire.

Isoken is streaming on Netflix, but unavailable in Nigeria.

3. Glamour Girls (2022)

Running time: 2h 5m

Director: Bunmi Akakaiye

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Emma (Sharon Ooja), a former stripper, is lured into the glittering world of high-class escorts by Donna (Nse Ikpe-Etim), a sharp fixer who knows how to turn beauty into power. Between champagne flutes, silk sheets, and smoky nightclubs, wealthy men trade influence for intimacy, while the women learn how to bend desire into currency.

Beyond the sultry wardrobes and seductions, the film digs into power dynamics — showing that attraction can be leverage, and temptation can be a means of survival.

Watch Glamour Girls on Netflix.

2. Fifty (2015)

Running time: 1h 41m

Director: Biyi Bandele

Genre: Romance

This movie dives into the lives and secret desires of four middle-aged women in Lagos.

Tola (Dakore Egbuson-Akande) is a reality TV star hiding marital scars; Elizabeth (Ireti Doyle) is a powerful obstetrician juggling affairs with younger men; Maria (Omoni Oboli) is in a secret relationship that threatens to upend her life; and Kate (Nse Ikpe-Etim) is battling cancer.

Fifty proves that sexuality doesn’t end for women of a certain age.

Fifty is streaming on Netflix, but unavailable in Nigeria.

1. A Sunday Affair (2022)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Walter Banger

Genre: Romcom

Uche (Nse Ikpe-Etim) and Toyin (Dakore Egbuson-Akande) are lifelong best friends whose bond is pushed to the edge when they both fall for the same man, Sunday (Oris Erhuero).

What follows is a tangled web of longing, betrayal, and passion that feels impossible to contain. Messy as it gets, the film shines in its raw, vulnerable exploration of desire.

Watch A Sunday Affair on Netflix.

1. Koto Aye (1990)

2. Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994)

3. Living in Bondage (1992)

4. Blood Money: The Vulture Men (1997)

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5. Rattlesnake (1995)

6. Agbara Nla (1992)

7. Karishika (1998)

8. Sakobi: The Snake Girl (1998)

9. End of the Wicked (1999)

10. The Last Burial (2000)

ALSO READ: 7 Scary Nollywood Horror Films to See this Halloween

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10. Razak Olayiwola and Moji Afolayan

9. Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun

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8. Stan Nze and Blessing Nze

7. Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi

6. Iyke Okechukwu and Florence Okechukwu

READ NEXT: 10 Times Nollywood Stars Perfectly Played Real Nigerians

5. Norbert Young and Gloria Young

4. Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman

3. Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji

2. Bankole “Banky W” Wellington and Adesua Etomi-Wellington

1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Actors Who Used to Be Famous and What They Do Now

1. Abounce Fawole

2. Baaj Adebule

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ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Movies Nigerians Regret Not Watching in the Cinema

3. Adeoluwa Akintoba

4. Bikiya Graham-Douglas

5. Riyo David

6. Christian Obi

7. Adebola Akinlose

8. Nimi

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ALSO READ: How Nigerians Become Notorious on the Internet

1. Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu

2. Charles Izuchukwu Okafor

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3. Desmond Oluwashola Elliot

4. Femi Ogedengbe

5. Kenneth Okonwo

READ NEXT: 10 Nigerian Musicians Who Used To Be Famous and What They Do Now

6. Oluwajimi “Jimmy” Odukoya

7. McMorris “Terror D’Archangel” Ndubueze

8. Samuel “Sam Dede” Dedetoku

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9. Victor Osuagwu

10. Zack Orji

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch On YouTube (September 2025)

10. Rattlesnake (2020)

9. Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)

8. Devil Is A Liar (2025)

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7. Yahoo+ (2022)

6. The Wildflower (2022)

5. Man of God (2022)

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4. In Line (2017)

3. Tokunbo (2024)

2. A Lot Like Love (2023)

1. Adire (2023)

READ NEXT: The Best 10 Nollywood Movies to Watch on Netflix (August 2025)

1. High Calling (2020)

2. The Mask (2025)

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3. Anchor (2025)

4. Perfect Prison (2025)

5. Prophet Suddenly (2023)

6. Enoch (2023)

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7. Under Siege (2025)

8. Miracle Next Door (2025)

9. Broken Hallelujah (2025)

10. Under Lock (2025)

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch On YouTube (September 2025)

1. Ajosepo (2024)

2. Ayinla (2021)

**4. Blood Money: The Vulture Men (1997)**